Things to do in and around Greenwich

Published 4:07 pm, Wednesday, May 2, 2018

For the latest events and activities happening in Greenwich, turn to For the record. To have your event included, submit a description, date, time, price and contact information. Photos are welcome. Drop us an email about your latest goings-on at gtcitydesk@scni.com.

Try Tai Chi

Spring is a great time to start Tai Chi lessons. Classes are held at 8 a.m. Wednesdays and/or at 9 a.m. Thursdays in the auditorium at the First Congregational Church Auditorium on Sound Beach Avenue in in Old Greenwich, opposite Binney Park. The cost is $10 per one-hour session. Newcomers welcome. This relaxing exercise can loosen joints, improve balance, and teach graceful movements to music. Fun and no pressure. For additional info, call Joe at 203 504-4678.

Museum musicians

The Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, will host Museum Musicians on Thursday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Join Jackie Jacobs, director of Music Together of Fairfield County, for a fun and interactive music and movement program for toddlers, ages 10 - 24 months, and their caregivers. Come ready to sing, dance and play instruments in these sessions inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibits. This program is free with general admission but space is limited. See the Visitor Service desk upon arrival to the museum to sign up.

New outlook on aging

Greenwich Hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging will present a lecture on Thursday with Dr. Donna Phanumas, geriatric specialist, and licensed clinical social worker Roni Lang on the topic of “Women and Aging: Older and Still Growing - A New Outlook on Growing Older.” The free event will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Noble Conference Center at Greenwich Hospital. To register, call 888-305-9253 or visit greenwichhospital.org/events.

Outdoor comfort

Simon Pearce, Banchet Flowers, Dedon Furniture, Casa Design Outdoor, and Winewise have teamed up for a fun evening with garden designer Robin Kramer of BoyWONDER to view her new line of luxury outdoor pillows. The event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Simon Pearce store at 125 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich. Customers can meet Robin one on one and prepare to be garden ready for the upcoming season. Kramer will share tips for creating an outdoor garden display. Refreshments provided by Winewise. RSVP to 203-861-0780.

Art to the Avenue

The opening night festivities for Art to the Avenue will be held Thursday as the annual event enters its 21st year. During the event, the Greenwich Arts Council turns Greenwich Avenue into a strolling gallery. The opening night celebration is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 3. The show will include musicians and street performers filling the street and entertaining residents as they check out the art as all of downtown Greenwich turns into a “gallery.” On opening night, most participating stores host receptions for the hundreds of visitors who attend to preview the work of over 120 artists. The art selected by the retailers remains in place through Memorial Day, May 27. All the art on display is for sale. For a complete map/guide, listing all participants, is available at www.greenwichartscouncil.org.

Art revisited opening

An opening will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library for a new exhibition called “Art Students League Revisited.” Since 1875 the Art Students League, based in the same historic building in New York City, has been training artists in a variety of mediums in hands-on classes. There is hardly an American artist of note of the late 19th or 20th century who has not been part of that vibrant artistic community. This exhibit, complementing a similar popular exhibit 10 years ago, seeks to highlight several current League students and one instructor, and their varied and interesting work. All are award winners at the Art Students League. Curated by York Baker and Linda Butler. For more info, call 203-622-7947. The exhibit runs through June 14.

The People in Harmony, a troupe of singers and dancers from Uganda,will perform at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich on Friday at 7 p.m. The young singers and dancers, ages 13 to 18, hail from the Tender Talents Magnet School in Kampala, Uganda, which teaches students music, cultural dance and theater as well as traditional curriculum. Admission is free.

Art and film double feature

The exhibit, the “Art Lounge: Art Student's League Revisited,” at Greenwich Library will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Flinn Gallery. As a special Friends of the Library, patrons can enjoy a “double-feature” with the art show, which will open until the 8 p.m. showtime for the movie “Art Bastard.” Doors open at 7:40 p.m.

International Night with Mexican consul

The PTA at the International School at Dundee, 55 Florence Road, Riverside, will host its first International Family Night celebration of cultures on Friday at 6 p.m. with the consular general of Mexico as a guest of honor. Families will travel the world and complete a scavenger hunt by visiting country stations throughout the school. Stations will feature facts, objects, music, dance and more from over a dozen countries from North Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Mexico’s consul general Diego Gomez Pickering will be at the school at 6:15 p.m. to talk to families about his country. Families will join together to enjoy a sampling of international food and music in the Cafeteria after the scavenger hunt.

School carnival

North Mianus School will host its annual Pow Wow, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the school’s PTA, from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. The grand carnival at the school, located at 309 Palmer Hill Road, Riverside, features rides, games, food, musical entertainment and a raffle.

Early-bird walk

Join naturalist Ted Gilman at Audubon Greenwich for a weekly Saturday bird walk at 7 a.m. May 5. The center’s open fields, apple orchard, wetlands and woodlands provide great habitat for migrating birds such as warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, orioles and others. Binoculars will be available. Meet in the Audubon Greenwich parking lot at 613 Riversville Road. Walks are free and no RSVP is required. For more info, contact Ted Gilman at tgilman@audubon.org or 203 930-1353.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

Residents will be able to drop off their Household Hazardous Waste on May 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Island Beach parking lot. No commercial loads will be permitted. Accepted materials include pesticides, all paints, solvents, kerosene, pool chemicals, mothballs, drain cleaners and other toxic materials. For a complete list, visit the town website at www.greenwichct.org/recycle or call Public Works at 203-869-6910 or Environmental Health at 203-622-7838.

Big bird count

In recognition of the Year of the Bird, Audubon Greenwich will hold a special birding field trip on the annual Global Big Day. Birders from around the world will be submitting observations to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology to try to break a new record for the most bird species seen around the world in one day. The event runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 5 at Grass Island Park near downtown Greenwich. The park’s combination of salt water harbor, lawns, thickets and woodland edge provide habitat for a wide variety of birds from shorebirds, herons, egrets and ducks to migrant songbirds. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them or borrow one from Audubon. Beginners and all ages welcome. Meet in the first parking lot on the right at 10 a.m. To RSVP, contact Ted Gilman at 203 930-1353.

College advice

A Bloc of Writers, a Greenwich-based tutoring company, is hosting a free lecture on the topic “Getting In: What You Need to Know About College Admissions” from 3 to 5 p.m. May 5 at the Greenwich Library. Consultant Anjali Nadig will discuss trends in college admissions, offer advice and answer questions about formulating admissions strategies. In addition, Michele Turk, founder of A Bloc of Writers, will give a presentation on how to tackle the Common App essay prompts and supplemental essays. The event is geared toward parents, but students are welcome to attend. For more information, email Michele@ablocofwriters.com or call 203-622-2968. The event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Greenwich Library.

Art Opening Reception

“Color Wheels,” a collection of works from the Art Society of Old Greenwich, will hold an opening reception for the exhibit from 3 to 4:45 p.m. May 5 in the Community Room at the Byram Shubert Library. With a membership of over 300 painters, digital artists, sculptors and photographers, the Art Society of Old Greenwich is one of the largest in Connecticut. It was founded in 1927 by Robert Wesley Amick, a noted illustrator working in New York City, who retired in the Greenwich area. Known for western landscapes, he gathered painting professionals and community artists into a friendly organization which came to be known as the Art Society of Old Greenwich. The show will run through May 26.

Run/Walk for Hope

Breast Cancer Alliance will hold its annual Run/Walk for Hope on May 6 in Greenwich. Runners and walkers of all ages will take part to remember loved ones who lost their lives to the disease and honor courageous breast cancer survivors. In addition to the 5K run and 1-mile walk in Greenwich, this year the BCA is holding an inaugural Walk or Run Where You Live event. People in communities throughout the U.S. can join supporters in Greenwich that day in running or walking in their hometowns. Participants can register for either event at flipcause.com/secure/event_step1/Mjc1NTM. The event begins at Richards, 359 Greenwich Ave., with check-in and registration — along with breakfast — at 7 a.m. The runners in the 5K step off at 8 a.m., with the 1-mile walkers setting off at 8:15 a.m. Prizes and complimentary breakfast continues at 9 a.m. at Richards. The fee is $40 for adults (includes T-shirt), $30 for students ages 8 to 18, and children 7 and under are free. Dogs are welcome. For the Where You Live event, the fee is $20 for adults, $10 for students ages8 to 18, and free to children 7 and under. Breast Cancer Alliance, founded in 1996, is one of the largest private, non-corporate breast-cancer organizations in the U.S.

Religious traditions in China

Deacon Robert Henrey will give a lecture on “The Silk Road:Religious Traditions in China,” part of a series of talks on “Reflections on Religious Identity within the Contemporary World.” The one-hour talk will be May 6 at 11:45 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, in the Lucey Parish Hall, below the church at 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside. Light refreshments will be served. The lecture is open to all. For more info, visit www.stcath.org or call 203 637-3661 Ext. 310.

Israel at 70: Concert Celebration

Celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary at 4 p.m. May 6 with the community of Temple Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave. Singer, pianist and composer Gon Halevi and other musicians will perform songs from his collection of new arrangements of beloved popular songs from both Israel and America. A donation of $10 per person is suggested. RSVP to Alice Schoen at alice.schoen@templesholom.com or 203-542-7165.

Global Challenge for Water Supply

The Yale Alumni Association of Greenwich and Greenwich Library will present “Nor Any Drop to Drink: The Global Challenge for Water Supply” with Professor Menachem Elimelech on May 6 at 4:30 p.m. in the Cole Auditorium at Greenwich Library. Water scarcity and the lack of safe drinking water are the most serious challenges of the 21st century. This presentation will discuss the extent of water scarcity worldwide, the challenges of providing adequate water supply for many regions in the world, and technological solutions to augment water supply via seawater desalination and wastewater reuse. Elimelech founded Yale's environmental engineering program in 1998 and serves as the director. Register online at the library’s website, www.greenwichlibrary.org. Open to all at no charge. Refreshments will be served. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

American Legion gathering

The American Legion Post 29 will hold a meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 7 in its building at 248 Glenville Road, next to the Glenville Fire House. Call 203-531-0109 for more information.

Bruce Beginnings

The Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, will host its Bruce Beginnings on Tuesdays in May. Children, ages 2 1/2 to 5 and their caregivers are invited to explore the museum’s collections and exhibitions through picture books and hands-on activities in these sessions. This program is free with general admission but space is limited. See the Visitor Service desk upon arrival to the Museum. Topics will rotate between art and science: Smelly Skunks, Lines and Loops, Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Black and White, Flower Power. There are two sessions: from 11 to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Bruce Beginnings is scheduled for May 8, May 15, May 22, and May 29.

Rules of retirement

Financial writer Julie Jason will be the speaker at the “Author Talk” at the Greenwich Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 9. Jason is the author of “Retire Securely,” an accessible and easy-to-read collection of her acclaimed nationally syndicated column, organized by themes. During this presentation, Jason will discuss the role of history in investing, is 4 percent the right ‘safe’ withdrawal rate in retirement for you, how to find the best fit financial professional to guide your retirement and more. Registration is suggested at the Greenwich Library website.

Speakers at Retired Men’s Association

The Greenwich Retired Men’s Association offers a free program every Wednesday that is open to the public; no reservations are required. Social break starts at 10:40 a.m. followed by speaker at 11 a.m. On May 9, Alisyn Camerota, co-anchor of CNN’s “New Day” will speak on “A Television Journalist’s Struggle for Truth.” Other speakers include: on May 16, Park Williams, bioclimatologist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, on “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Water Resources Essential for Life;” on May 23, David Weisbrod on “The 2008 Crash: View from the Trenches;” on May 30, Flemming Heilmann on the “Odyssey Uncharted: From World War II Malaya to Australia to Cambridge;” on June 6, Jerry Shereshewsky, digital marketing executive, on “Social Media and the Communications Revolution;” on June 13, Jill Gildea, superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools, on the “Top 12 Innovative Practices in Greenwich Schools;” on June 20, Dr. Mike Simberkoff, formerly chief physician at VA-NY Harbor Health Care Center, on “VA Health Care: What’s Good, What’s New;” and on June 27, economist Larry Kantor on “Financial Markets and the Business Cycle - Where Do We Go From Here?”Programs are at the First Presbyterian Church, 1 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. For additional information, visit www.greenwichrma.org or contact info@greenwichrma.org.

Shop for Summer Event

Summer Wildes will be featured at an in-store shopping event May 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Inside the Armoire at 45 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich. Summer Wildes is a new line of luxury lingerie, swimwear and loungewear all made in the USA and created by Greenwich resident Erin Wildes Walker, who will be there to share the collection of bikinis, tees, hoodies, lounge pants, leggings, bras and more. Personal bra fittings from an expert bra fitter will be available, and wine, champagne and light bites will be served. RSVP to insidegreenwich@gmail.com. For more information, call 203-422-2055 or visit www.summerwildes.com.

Pop-up shop

Vineyard Vines at 145 Greenwich Ave. is inviting Auburn Jewelry to host a pop-up shop with them. The items from Auburn Jewelry will be for sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 11 and May 12.

Annual plant sale

The Garden Club of Old Greenwich will hold its annual Plant Sale on May 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center on Harding Road in Old Greenwich. The club will sell members’ own perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables, Mother's Day baskets, gardening items and baked goods. All proceeds will support the club's civic beautification of Old Greenwich, Butterfly Garden at Greenwich Point, Garden Therapy Workshops and Programs for Pathways and Hill House.

Global Lyme Alliance Gala

The Global Lyme Alliance will hold its annual gala May 12 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. Local journalist/author Gretchen Carlson, chair of the Miss America Organization, will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Honorary event chairs in attendance will include Mary Beth Pfeiffer, author of the book “Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change;” mixed martial arts fighter Jim Miller; actor Victor Slezak; news anchor/documentary producer Mike Schneider, and singer/songwriter Marina Morgan, whose hit song “Paralyzed” is based on her battle with Lyme disease. Award recipients include singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben and Dr. Nicole Baumgarth, a professor of immunology in the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of California at Davis. To date, GLA has awarded over $9 million for projects fighting Lyme disease. For tickets ($500) go to https://fundraise.globallymealliance.org/old-greenwich/events/2018-greenwich-gala/e148168.

Safety Town signup

Registration is open for Safety Town, which will take place at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich. Two sessions will be held: One from June 4 to June 8 and the second from June 11 to 15. Registration is open until May 25, but it fills up fast. It provides a comprehensive safety education program for children who are about to enter kindergarten. The cost $195, but scholarships are available. Signup is available online at www.redcross.org/ct /greenwich.

Black-and-white photo exhibit

“In Time We Shall Know Ourselves,” a new exhibition of black-and-white photographs by Raymond Smith, will be on display at the Bruce Museum, 1 Musem Drive, through June 3. Admission is free for museum members and students with valid ID, $10 for nonmembers.

Art makes a stop

Art to the Avenue makes a stop at the Bendheim, with an exhibit featuring the work of Sarah Balcombe, Joyce Grasso, Morris Finkelstein, Susan Kalla, Keith Magner, Kate Moran, Corey Marchetti and Shilo Ratner. The show is running now through June 6 at the Bendheim Gallery. An artists' reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 17. The gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more info, visit www.greenwichartscouncil.org.

Two days of garden tours

The Garden Education Center’s annual Garden Tour will be held for two days for the first time ever. The event is set for June 8 and June 9, with gardens open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. There will be a Patron Cocktail Party on June 8. For tickets or to sponsor the event, visit www.gecgreenwich.org/store/p26/Greenwich-Garden-Tour-tickets. Tickets start at $75 per person, or $90 for a two-day ticket, when purchased in advance.

Patriotic persuasion

“Patriotic Persuasion: American Posters of the First World War” will highlight the variety of approaches that government agencies used to encourage participation in and support for World War I. The exhibition features a selection of vintage posters and will be on display through June 10 at the Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive.

‘Wild Bees’ buzz into Bruce

“Wild Bees,” an exhibit featuring 26 photographs of wild bees in their natural habitats, will be on display through Nov. 11 at the Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive. As part of the exhibit, native bee specimens can be viewed under a video microscope and visitors can see an interactive website, bee houses, and giant model bees magnified 20 times. Admission is free for museum members and students with valid ID, $10 for nonmembers.